Kuwait´s Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Sabah, the eldest son of the late emir, died on Sunday, the country´s state-run news agency reported. He was 72.
Sheikh Nasser, who held various government posts over the years including minister of defense and deputy prime minister, had been considered a top contender for crown prince following the death in September of his father, the 91-year-old Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
The KUNA state-run news agency did not specify how Sheikh Nasser died, but he was known to be in fragile health after having a lung tumor removed two years ago.
In a country that depends on oil for some 90% of its revenues, Sheikh Nasser championed bold plans to diversify Kuwait´s economy by building up a business hub with a free zone and deep seaport in the country´s north. But with many in Kuwait´s parliament committed to the status quo, his ideas repeatedly ran aground.
